It could be anything from an ingrown hair to a swollen lymph node. Sebaceous cysts are a common type of cyst that forms in blocked or damaged sebaceous glands.
These glands secrete sebum, which is an oily substance that lubricates your skin and hair. In most cases, your doctor can diagnose a sebaceous cyst just by looking at it. However, they may do some additional testing, such as a skin biopsy , if the bump:.
While sebaceous cysts are harmless, some people prefer to remove them for cosmetic reasons. If you want to remove a sebaceous cyst, talk to your doctor. They can remove it with a minor surgical procedure. An ingrown hair is a strand of hair that either grows back into itself and reenters your skin or grows under your skin due to a clogged hair follicle.
This results in a pimple-like bump around the hair. If have short hair, you might get ingrown hairs on the back of your neck, especially along the bottom of your hairline.
You might have just one or a cluster of several. Most ingrown hairs resolve on their own without any treatment. To avoid developing an infection , try not to squeeze or pick at an ingrown hair.
Boils also called furuncles are pus-filled bumps that form under the skin due to bacteria in your hair follicles. This makes the back of your neck particularly vulnerable to boils. For small boils, you can apply a warm compress to help the boil drain. Larger boils, which can grow to be the size of a golf ball, usually need to be drained by a doctor. In some cases, your doctor might also prescribe antibiotics for more severe infections. A lipoma is a noncancerous, fatty lump that grows slowly, usually between your skin and muscle.
You might have one or several. While they can grow anywhere, they tend to appear on your neck, shoulders, arms, back, abdomen, or thighs. Lipomas are usually:. They can also help you remove a lipoma, usually either with surgery or liposuction. Acne keloidalis nuchae is an inflammation of the hair follicle that causes bumps on the back of the neck, along the hairline.
Lymph nodes sometimes swell, especially if the body is fighting an infection. Several lymph nodes run along the back of the neck on either side of the spine.
There are also lymph nodes behind each ear. A tender lump that is about the size of a marble and moves slightly when a person touches it may be a swollen lymph node. Sometimes, lymph nodes swell when there is an infection nearby. Therefore, a swollen lymph node in the neck might be a sign of an ear infection or an infected cyst. Lymph nodes can also swell for no obvious reason. As long as the swelling disappears, there is no reason to worry. Although it is rare, swollen lymph nodes can sometimes signal a more serious problem, such as cancer.
People should see a doctor if the swelling does not disappear after a few weeks. Acne, including blackheads, pimples, and deep cystic acne , can cause lumps and swellings on the back of the neck.
Acne develops when sweat, bacteria, and oil block the pores. Although hormonal changes during adolescence often trigger acne, it can appear at any age. The neck is a common site for acne. Hair care products, sweat, and clothing can all irritate the back of the neck, making acne worse.
A wide variety of over-the-counter OTC remedies may help, as may switching shampoos, keeping the neck clean and dry, and keeping the hair off the neck. If acne is severe, very painful, or does not respond to home remedies, a dermatologist may prescribe a stronger medication.
A sebaceous cyst is a nodule under the skin that contains the protein keratin. These cysts can grow very large. Most are painless, but if they become infected, they may resemble large pimples.
Cysts may come and go, or they may continually grow larger. Some cysts come to a head or ooze when a person squeezes them. However, popping a cyst will not cure it, and doing this can cause an infection. In most cases, a doctor can use a simple procedure to remove a cyst in their office.
If the cyst is painful or red, it is important to see a doctor as this is a sign of infection. Warm compresses and OTC pain medication can also help. A red and painful bump might be a boil. Boils are local infections, which means that there is an infection in the boil but not the surrounding skin. Cysts, acne, and blocked hair follicles can become infected and turn into boils.
Squeezing a boil can cause the infection to become worse or spread. Instead, people should try applying warm compresses and keeping the area clean.
However, swollen lymph glands caused by a cancer, lymphoma or leukaemia may need extensive treatment. Swollen lymph glands due to viral infections are common. For example, swelling of neck lymph glands may go up and down if you have frequent throat infections. This is of little concern. However, you should see your doctor if your lymph glands have not gone down after two weeks.
Swollen lymph glands are more of a concern if there is no apparent reason for them to swell. Tell your doctor if:. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Richner S, Laifer G ; Peripheral lymphadenopathy in immunocompetent adults. Swiss Med Wkly. Hi everyone, I have a really nasty case of health anxiety and it's consuming my life.
So I have episodes during which I find something to worry about. This time it's about my neck. I'm 25 and have no Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions.
Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
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What causes swollen lymph glands?
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